chapter 50

Chapter 50: Something's Amiss

The Duke's mansion was bustling with guests today.

Though it was still early, anyone who considered themselves to have some rapport with the Duke's mansion came to offer their congratulations.

The young master of the Duke's mansion was celebrating his sixteenth birthday. While it wasn't as significant as one's first birthday or adulthood ceremony, the Duke's family always held grand celebrations. With the Crown Prince attending every time, the capital's residents were well-aware of the young master's importance.

Compared to the lively front courtyard, the back was eerily quiet.

The old Duke, with a face of discontent, remarked, "Has that rebellious son not returned today?"

The steward, observing the Duke's mood, whispered, "Your Grace... perhaps he'll arrive later."

What 'arrive later'? That rebellious son simply doesn't want to come!

The old Duke scoffed coldly, "Then he might as well not return. On such a joyous day, his presence would dampen the mood. Ensure the gatekeepers are vigilant. It's best if he doesn't return, but if he does, drive him away!"

The steward offered a bitter smile and replied, "Yes."

The old Duchess sat not far away, sipping tea gracefully, her gaze lowered, silent.

Nowadays, she preferred to stay out of these matters.

Watching the father and son's stubborn attitudes clash.

As they conversed, a maid outside announced, "The eldest master."

Outside stood a tall, elegant young man dressed in raven-colored garments. His sleeves were tightly bound, and his hair pulled into a high ponytail. His deep black eyes, despite coming from the blazing summer sun outside, seemed void of any warmth.

Among the high-born sons and daughters, his skin wasn't the fairest, bearing a tanned hue from years of sun exposure.

As he walked in with confident strides, a subtle smile on his lips, he greeted, "Grandfather, Grandmother. Has Xiao He returned?"

The anger on the old Duke's face vanished instantly, replaced by a warm smile. "Xiao He is still at the academy and will only be back by noon."

Observing this, the steward inwardly sighed in relief.

Shen Yan asked softly, "On his birthday, he's still at the academy?"

The old Duchess, with a gentle smile, replied, "Have you forgotten? Xiao He once complained that the Crown Prince wants him to sit for the imperial examinations this year. He's been deeply engrossed in his studies."

She chuckled, recalling Xiao He's grumbling and aggrieved demeanor when sharing this.

Shen Yan's eyes curved slightly, a hint of amusement in his gaze.

The old Duke rubbed his hands in anticipation, "Xiao He is bright. If the Crown Prince is counting on him to top the examination, I believe he can."

Shen Yan whispered, "I think so too. Grandfather, Grandmother, I'll head to my quarters to change. Please inform me if Xiao He returns."

The old Duke nodded repeatedly, "Yes, go change, and then help greet the guests."

There were many guests in the front courtyard.

However, the truly important guests would mostly arrive around noon.

Shen Yan made his way back to his quarters and changed into a long-sleeved robe. The sharp and sleek aura about him faded, making him seem more like an elegant scholarly young master.

He reached up to the top shelf of his antique stand, retrieving a hefty box.

The box seemed heavy, but he lifted it with ease.

Placing it on the table, Shen Yan unlocked it, examined its contents for a while, then closed and set it aside. He returned the box to the top of the antique stand.

As he left his yard with the item, he encountered a middle-aged woman on the pathway outside.

The woman was a beauty. Even in middle age, her charm remained intact with hardly any wrinkles at the corners of her eyes.

Time had been kind to her.

The only hint of its cruelty lay in her gaze.

It was saturated with deep resentment and bitterness, especially when she set eyes on Shen Yan.

The hint of amusement in Shen Yan's dark eyes vanished upon seeing this woman.

His voice turned cold, so indifferent that one couldn't discern his emotions. He addressed the woman before him, "Aunt Zheng."

Upon hearing his tone, Madame Zheng's temper flared.

She coldly asked Shen Yan, "So, you're this reluctant to see your own aunt?"

Shen Yan didn't respond directly but said, "You should leave, Aunt. Today is Xiao He's birthday celebration. Grandmother would be displeased to see you here."

It was hard for Madame Zheng to tolerate this version of Shen Yan. Her voice turned sharp, "Is this how you speak to your biological mother? What a 'wonderful' son I've raised! Not supporting your own mother and turning your back on your kin. What concern of yours is Shen He's birthday celebration? Do you remember how the Duke's residence celebrated your sixteenth birthday? Was it anything like this?"

She examined Shen Yan from head to toe, seething with anger, "Look at yourself now. The esteemed heir to the Duke's residence. Such a prestigious position. Your father cherished you, placed such high hopes on you. Yet you forgo your studies to become a mere foot soldier, braving the elements! Because of your choices, your father's affection for you has waned to nothing. And because of you, I too have to suffer!"

Listening to her words, Shen Yan's deep eyes remained impassive.

They resembled a profound, still well; tranquil and unrippled. Except for himself, no one knew his thoughts.

He spoke softly, "Aunt, have you said all you wanted? If you're done, please return. I have guests to greet."

Always like this! Every time she saw him and spoke to him, he had this lifeless demeanor.

Why on earth did she bear such an unfilial son?!

Hearing the bustle from the front courtyard and thinking about the day's significance, how Shen He, the legitimate heir, lived comfortably for years while her own situation deteriorated—and even her son wouldn't support her—Madame Zheng felt a surge of rage, increasingly uncontrollable.

She grabbed Shen Yan's arm, preventing him from leaving, and raised her hand to deliver a fierce slap, "Are you mute or deaf? How did I ever birth someone like you?"

A crisp "slap!" echoed.

But the slap didn't land on Shen Yan's face.

He'd raised his hand, shielding his cheek.

The back of his hand quickly reddened, attesting to the force of Madame Zheng's strike.

A servant by his side gasped softly, "Young Master!"

Shen Yan, despite the slap, showed no anger. He continued to gaze at Madame Zheng with those profound eyes, "Aunt, as I said, I have guests to attend to."

Turning to the servant beside him, he instructed, "Find two people to escort Aunt back to her quarters."

After a brief pause, he added, looking at Madame Zheng, "Or if you wish to see Father, I can have someone guide you to his residence through the side door."

Madame Zheng's chest heaved with anger!

It's not as if she wanted to see Shen Congyun!

Shen Congyun has purchased a new residence outside, rarely returning home. He has taken a new concubine elsewhere; how could he remember her, a woman now in her later years?

Madame Zheng, in her anger, blurted out, "If you wanted to be Shen He's brother so badly, why didn't you emerge from his mother's womb instead of mine? Had I not given birth to you, would I have ended up in this situation?!"

Shen Yan had already walked a few steps away, but upon hearing this, he suddenly halted, turning back to look at Madame Zheng.

For some reason, Madame Zheng felt a twinge of fear under his gaze.

Clearly, this child was borne by her, and he never contradicted her, but locking eyes with Shen Yan's deep black pupils, she felt an instinctual unease.

Shen Yan gazed at Madame Zheng, murmuring, "I wish I could have."

Madame Zheng froze, then shrilly exclaimed, "I knew it! You resent me for not being a first wife! You look down on my background. If you could've been born from Shen He's real mother, you'd be the heir of the Duke's household, without the need to please the old Duke and his wife or to pamper the incompetent Shen He!"

Shen Yan remained silent and turned to leave. Someone in the courtyard called out, "Please return to your chambers. The eldest young master has given orders, and we dare not disobey."

As Madame Zheng headed back to her quarters, she continued to vent her frustrations loudly, her demeanor suggesting that she wished she could go back in time and strangle Shen Yan at birth.

A group of servants and guards stood by the door, ensuring that Madame Zheng wouldn't sneak out and cause trouble in the main courtyard.

Hearing her tirades, they exchanged glances.

They quietly wondered what exactly had upset Madame Zheng.

With the eldest young master around, hasn't Madame Zheng lived comfortably all these years, attended by a multitude and living a life of luxury?

The eldest young master never talked back or retaliated, truly a paragon of filial piety.

……

By midday, Shen He, like a bird released from its cage, flew out of the school.

Along the way, seeing one carriage after another parked in front of the Duke's mansion, he exclaimed in surprise, "Why are there so many people this year?"

Zhongyan chuckled, "Young Master, there were plenty of people last year too."

Shen He thought for a moment, then jumped off the carriage, leading his attendants through a shortcut to meet his grandparents.

The butler, upon catching a glimpse of him, was overjoyed and quickly approached, asking, "Has the young master arrived?"

With an uplifted tone, Shen He sounded delighted, "Yes, yes. Has the crown prince arrived?"

The butler replied, "His Highness the Crown Prince is currently occupied and hasn’t arrived yet. However, the young masters and mistresses from the Liu family, the young duke, and the young master from the Zheng family are here. Oh, and the eldest master returned from the suburban camp half an hour ago. He's currently in the front yard entertaining the guests."

Shen He's face lit up with joy, "Great! I'll go greet my grandparents first and then join them."

With that, he dashed off, leaving only his silhouette behind.

Hearing the young master's lack of concern about the Duke’s presence, the butler scratched his head, thinking, 'The mansion seems to function the same whether the Duke is here or not.'

With the current favorable situation of the Crown Prince, in a few years, the Duke's mansion will likely be under the young master's rule.

With this thought, the butler felt less anxious about whether the Duke would return.

Whether he returns or not is up to him.

Shen He eventually found his grandfather, the old Duke, and the old Duchess. After showering them with affection, the delighted grandparents promptly presented him with birthday gifts.

In his younger days, the old Duke was a war hero stationed at the border, receiving countless rewards from the previous emperor, including a treasure trove of riches.

Over the years, half of those treasures ended up in Shen He's possession.

Holding his treasures, Shen He affectionately hugged his grandparents.

The old Duchess playfully scolded him, "Goodness, you're a grown man now. You shouldn't be so cheeky!"

Shen He laughed heartily, "No matter how old, I’m still your grandson, right?"

He added, "You've given me half of your private treasures. If I turn out to be a failure, how will I provide for you both?"

The old Duke chuckled, ruffling Shen He's hair, "Don't you worry about us. With our wealth, we could even afford another one like you."

After chatting with his grandparents for a while, Shen He turned to leave, announcing, "I'm off to meet my friends!"

The old Duke waved him off, "Go on, then."

Shen He jogged towards the front yard. Before he could locate Liu Zheng and the others, he heard the announcement of the Crown Prince's arrival.

The front yard was filled with the sound of greetings, with the calm and distinctive voice of Qi Zhuoyun standing out.

The Crown Prince, dressed in his usual black attire adorned with golden embroidery, was as elegant as ever.

He exuded an imposing aura. Lifting his gaze, he scanned the room and strode toward the inner chamber.

Shen He was about to sneak out, hoping to meet the protagonist.

For reasons unknown, even from across the corridor, Qi Zhuoyun clearly saw him and gave him a distant glance.

Shen He met his gaze, beaming and waving at him enthusiastically.

Qi Zhuoyun's dark eyes briefly rested on him before he continued on with the butler.

Shen He: "??"

Why? He obviously saw him. Why didn't he acknowledge him?

Shen He felt the urge to follow, curious about the urgent matter that prevented the protagonist from even sparing a moment to greet his most trusted subordinate.

If the reason wasn't good enough, he'd be quite upset.

A little outburst now and then was necessary to remind the protagonist of his significance and presence.

Lost in his thoughts, Shen He took a few steps when Qi Zhuoyun's tall silhouette turned the corner, disappearing into the corridor.

Someone emerged from behind him, tapping his shoulder. "Little He."

Shen He spun around, exclaiming joyfully, "Big Brother!"

Shen Yan followed Shen He's gaze, noting, "The Crown Prince has arrived. He's probably visiting our grandparents."

Realizing this, Shen He momentarily put aside thoughts of the protagonist. His eyes sparkled as he looked at Shen Yan with a mischievous grin, "Where's my birthday gift, Brother?"

He was eager to see what it was.

Amused by his eagerness, Shen Yan smiled, "I've prepared it for you."

He retrieved a slender rosewood box from his sleeve.

The box was smoothly polished, emanating a pleasant wooden scent.

Shen He, beaming with excitement, took it gratefully, "Thank you, Brother!"

Shen Yan lifted his chin slightly, indicating the box, "Open it."

Anticipation filled Shen He.

Delighted, he opened the box to find several smaller boxes inside.

"Hold this for me, Brother," he requested.

He placed the wooden box in Shen Yan's hands, who good-naturedly acted as his personal stand.

Shen He eagerly opened the small boxes and was astonished to find two boxes of gouache paint.

His eyes widened, "Wow! It's real gouache!"

Need to be sure. Let's test it!

He dipped his pinkie into a bit of the paint, checking its texture and pigmentation.

Shen He declared that this gift ranked as one of his most satisfying this year!

Observing the amount he'd taken, he suddenly felt a pang of regret. My goodness, he wondered how much effort it took to make, yet he'd scooped out so much.

Heartbreaking!

It felt as if he'd wasted a whole chunk of precious white paint!

Shen He carefully replaced the lid of the small box and closed the wooden one. "I love it! Brother, where did you get this?"

His eyes sparkled like an excited puppy; if he had a tail, it would probably be wagging so fast he could take off.

Shen Yan chuckled at his reaction, "A friend of mine knows some enthusiasts who like to experiment with these things. You once mentioned wanting such pigments, but you didn't know how to make them. I relayed your wishes, but I'm not sure if it's exactly what you wanted."

Shen He nodded continuously, "It's perfect!"

Shen Yan retrieved a neatly folded piece of paper from his sleeve, "This lists the ingredients. I copied it for you. Currently, they've only produced a few colors, but as they develop more, I'll bring them to you."

"There's no rush; this is plenty!"

Shen He was over the moon.

He had lamented his lack of knowledge in this area, cursing his years of just following online tutorials.

He'd heard that many art students knew how to produce their pigments.

Now he had the knowledge too.

Clutching the box and not wanting to part with it, yet remembering he had guests to attend to, he handed it back to Shen Yan, "Brother, keep it with you for now. I'll get it from you when I return to the Eastern Palace!"

He added, "Keep all the gifts with you!"

Shen Yan resignedly said, "Alright."

After his bout of excitement, Shen He turned a bit mischievous.

He beckoned Shen Yan closer, whispering, "Brother, where are our cousins?"

Shen Yan, curious, replied, "Over there, in the pavilion. What are you up to?"

Shen He had a mischievous gleam in his eyes.

Shen Yan, with a hint of a smile, asked with a blink, "Do you want to go over, or would you prefer I call them here?"

Shen He opted for the latter.

There were too many people near the pavilion, including many unfamiliar faces, making it an inconvenient place for a private chat.

Inside the pavilion,

A number of people gathered.

All familiar faces.

The younger siblings of the Liu family who had yet to start their official careers were present, along with Zheng Xue and Qi Yanbing.

Liu Dai's eyes flitted about. On such a day, she was dressed in a proper feminine attire, looking quite the elegant maiden.

She should have been seated with the other ladies, but being daring and seeing that the pavilion had fewer guests and mainly her siblings, she chose to sit here with her cousin.

She leaned forward, asking in a whisper, "Why haven't we seen Xiao He?"

Liu Dai responded, "He's back. I just heard someone say they saw him. He must be meeting with the elder Duke and Duchess."

From afar, a group of young men, recognizing many familiar faces in the pavilion, approached.

Still at some distance, Qi Yanbing waved with his fan, "Jin Yuan, why have all of you come?"

The youth named Jin Yuan rolled his eyes, "Why ask such a question? When haven't I attended? We're all classmates."

He squeezed past Qi Yanbing, who chuckled and found another seat, asking, "What gift do you have for Xiao He? Give us a sneak peek."

Jin Yuan, with a hint of pride, boasted, "Trust me, this time it's something that'll truly amaze you all."

Zheng Xue's deep eyes shifted, sharing a glance with Liu Zheng.

Liu Zheng lowered his head, trying to suppress his laughter.

He mustn't make it too obvious.

He coughed lightly, covering his mouth with a clenched fist.

Oblivious to the possible joke at his expense, Jin Yuan continued, while Qi Yanbing egged him on, "Oh? What fascinating gift is it? Do tell."

Jin Yuan declared, "A self-spinning fan. Ever seen one?"

Zheng Xue stood up decisively, "I'll take a stroll."

Liu Zheng followed, "I'll come too. I know my way around here."

Liu Dai, looking up and noticing her brother's departure and his barely concealed amusement, felt there was some inside joke she wasn't privy to.

Excited, Liu Dai initially wanted to drag Liu Dai with her, but upon a second thought, she swiftly made her exit, instructing Liu Dai, "Stay here with Sixth Sister."

Liu Dai: "??"

Liu Dai: "Wait, where are you...?" Going? Why are they leaving him behind?

Qi Yanbing remained, diligently playing along with Jin Yuan's charade.

Liu Zheng and Zheng Xue hadn't gone far when they reached a quieter part of the garden.

Liu Dai, lifting her dress slightly, caught up with them, asking, "Fifth Brother, is the dress ready?"

They stood by the edge of a man-made pond. Green willow branches swayed in the breeze, their tips brushing the water's surface, making it glitter like gold.

Liu Zheng chuckled, "It's ready. You haven't mentioned it to anyone else, have you?"

Liu Dai patted her chest, "Of course not, I can keep a secret."

She whispered, "So when do you plan to have Xiao He wear it? You'll let me see it, right? I can help dress and style him! What do you think?"

She raised her hand excitedly, eager to be part of the plan.

The idea of her younger cousin in a dress was so entertaining!

Just as Liu Zheng was about to respond, Zheng Xue turned sharply, spotting a few individuals in the distance.

He promptly bowed, "Greetings to the Crown Prince."

Liu Zheng and Liu Dai: "..."

What could be more awkward than plotting a playful scheme behind someone's back, only to be caught by the stern guardian of the very person you're scheming about?

There might be other situations, but right now, this felt like the most embarrassing and guilt-ridden moment they'd ever experienced.

Inwardly, Liu Dai kept hoping for Xiao He to arrive. Why wasn't he here yet? The Crown Prince was truly intimidating!

They merely wanted to have Xiao He try on a dress. Why did the prince make it seem as if they were plotting something sinister?

Qi Zhuoyun approached, his gaze cold and detached, "The dress?"

The deep, dark eyes of the prince were enough to instill fear.

Liu Zheng and Zheng Xue were relatively composed, having encountered the prince many times before.

However, Liu Dai had seen him far less, and whenever the prince visited their home, she always kept her distance.

Now, under the prince's imposing presence, her heart raced.

Cold sweat formed in the palm of her hands.

Liu Zheng said in a dry voice, "Your Highness... it was a bet we made with Xiao He."

Qi Zhuoyun remarked, "I am aware. You lost the wager, remember to uphold your end of the deal."

Liu Zheng: "?"

Zheng Xueze: "..."

Zheng Xueze was the first to respond, "Understood."

Qi Zhuoyun did not leave immediately. Instead, he gazed at them for a moment longer, and no one could decipher the emotions hiding in his dark eyes.

After roughly half a tea-time, the sun's heat had Liu Dai lamenting internally, regretting her involvement in this matter.

The Crown Prince then spoke, "Since the women's attire is ready, have someone fetch it for me."

Liu Dai's legs gave out, and she nearly faltered in front of the Crown Prince.

What does he mean, "for him"?

Why would he want women's attire?

Curiosity clawed at Liu Dai's heart like a cat's paw. She couldn't help but stealthily glance up at the Crown Prince's expression.

To her surprise, the young man's face was devoid of emotion, his dark eyes deep and unnerving.

She immediately bowed her head, thinking to herself that he was indeed quite intimidating.

She wondered how Xiao He had lived with such a fearsome Crown Prince for over a decade.

While she knew the Crown Prince was gentle with Xiao He, hadn't there been times he got angry over all these years?

A flurry of thoughts raced through Liu Dai's mind. She silently pitied Xiao He, hoping that once the Crown Prince married a princess, Xiao He would move out of the East Palace.

After all, wasn't the Capital abuzz with rumors of the Crown Prince selecting a consort?

Furthermore, in a couple of years, Xiao He would be of age to set up his own household.

He should be establishing his own residence, reducing his interactions with the Crown Prince considerably.

With that thought, Liu Dai felt reassured.

When Liu Dai looked up again, the Crown Prince had already departed with his entourage.

Liu Dai sighed in relief, "The Crown Prince is truly terrifying."

Both Liu Zheng and Zheng Xueze exhaled deeply.

Mid-sigh, a realization struck both of them simultaneously. They exchanged glances, their faces turning slightly awkward.

What did the Crown Prince say earlier?

Xiao He won the bet, reminding them to uphold their end.

...So, the widespread rumors in the capital about selecting a Crown Princess were false!?

Zheng Xueze took a deep breath and exclaimed, "I shouldn't have gotten involved with Qi Yanbing."

Liu Zheng closed his eyes, unwilling to imagine the scene where he would be dressed as a woman, and worse, seen by his elders in such attire.

……

Shen He was entirely unaware of this development.

He eagerly awaited Liu Zheng and the others, ready to inform them that they lost.

Ha! Shen He mentally doubled over in laughter, hands on his hips!

It's finally his turn to mock them!

Before Liu Zheng and the others were summoned, Shen He spotted a silhouette emerging from a path behind the rockery.

The young man was tall, catching attention even from a distance. Shen He noticed him with a casual glance.

He had already forgotten his earlier snub.

Cheerfully, he waved, "Brother!"

Qi Zhuoyun stepped onto the veranda and looked into the bright eyes of the young lad. Shen He's face broke into a radiant smile, his teeth perfectly aligned, his spirit akin to a thriving sapling.

Qi Zhuoyun momentarily stiffened but soon, a habitual tender smile graced his lips, acknowledging him with a nod, "Mm."

Shen He, hands behind his back, circled around Qi Zhuoyun, scanning his hands and sleeves for any concealed items. Nothing seemed amiss, no hint of anything hidden in his pockets.

Unless it was something tiny and light - which wasn't entirely improbable.

His actions resembled that of someone inspecting another's hands, checking if they're holding a treat - much like a cat would.

Seeing nothing, he chuckled and tugged at Qi Zhuoyun's sleeve, "Brother, stop teasing! Let me see what it is."

Qi Zhuoyun looked down at Shen He, whose fair cheeks seemed so soft and supple. Unexpectedly, an image from a dream flashed in his mind.

A serene lake under the cold moonlight with a golden koi-like youth, bearing the same face and the same affectionate trust as the boy before him, looking up at him innocently.

Those eyes were a shade of golden orange, reflecting his own image.

The smile on Qi Zhuoyun's lips faded suddenly, his jaw tightening, and his neck growing slightly rigid.

He gently pushed Shen He back by the shoulders, speaking softly, "It's not in my sleeve. I've placed it in your chamber. Once we return to the palace, you can see it."

The young boy, oblivious to any underlying tension, focused only on his anticipated gift, pouted in slight disappointment, "Fine, I'll check when I get back!"

After pouting, his mood quickly lifted, and he grinned at Qi Zhuoyun, saying, "Brother, I'm off to find cousin and the rest. Hehe, they still don't know they lost the bet. They're probably scheming to make me wear a dress. I'll give them the shock of their lives!"

Having said that, he sneaked off along the corridor, muttering as he ran, "Brother should've summoned someone for me. How did he end up summoning no one at all?"

Qi Zhuoyun exhaled a warm breath.

Coldly, he contemplated, perhaps it was indeed time to find a Crown Princess for himself.

Most men his age would already have wives, if not a harem, and perhaps even children.

If he had a Crown Princess by his side, he wouldn’t be plagued by these illusions and thoughts.

To harbor such feelings for a boy he had raised with his own hands...

Voicing such a sentiment would be seen as worse than beastly.

...Most crucially, Hehe (Shen He) was unaware.

While Qi Zhuoyun didn't care about public opinion, the day Shen He discovered what he dreamt of might be the day those trusting and pure eyes turned to fear and revulsion.

Qi Zhuoyun pressed hard between his brows, the skin reddening under the force.

The pain brought him back to reality.

He calmly ordered, "Zhong Hong, arrange for someone to investigate the list of prospective Crown Princesses."

Zhong Hong was surprised but acknowledged, "Yes."

Previously, they were only to investigate Miss Wang. Why check all of them now?

By the time Qi Zhuoyun withdrew his hand, his demeanor had returned to its usual calm.

Once a suitable Crown Princess was selected, such worries would dissipate.

It was merely an occasional dream.

He convinced himself of this.

Reflecting on his earlier actions, especially the coldness he displayed towards Shen He that morning, Qi Zhuoyun felt agitated.

Why be so affected over a nonsensical dream?

Shen He knew nothing. Alienating him over this would be a loss greater than the gain.

*

Shen He dashed out, adhering to protocol by greeting the guests first. As today's host, he had many people to attend to.

The majority of those who came to greet him were strangers, while a few seemed familiar. But there were so many people, he couldn’t keep track of them all.

The Dowager Lady and the Old Duke both stepped out to accompany Shen He.

Observing the steward and how his grandparents seemed to know everyone present, Shen He was deeply impressed, thinking to himself that socializing is indeed a natural talent.

He’d rather go back and be supervised by Tutor Song to recite a couple more treatises than match all these faces with their respective names and titles.

But only two treatises, no more than that.

In large gatherings like this, Shen He transformed from a carefree puppy to a child, unsure where to place his hands and feet.

As the Dowager Lady whispered to him about the identities of those around, he would politely greet them.

It was as if invisible ropes bound his limbs.

He was bashful yet courteous.

Regardless of whether Shen He was relaxed or not, the guests lavished him with compliments, the sound of their flattery echoing loudly.

And why shouldn't they?

He was the designated heir of the Duke's Mansion, the future young lord.

Moreover, he shared a deep bond with the Crown Prince.

Right now, behind them, the Crown Prince was observing the scene with his deep, dark eyes.

Anyone who caught sight of this wished to amplify their voice even more, hoping the Crown Prince would note the vigor of their praise.

Shen He thought, "...” His face was starting to hurt from all the smiling, and his ears slightly ached. Why did they have to be so loud?

He could hear them just fine at a lower volume. His hearing wasn't impaired.

But it soon might be at this rate.

Shen He's mood visibly deflated.

He looked as though he was wilting under the sun.

Despite receiving many gifts and feeling joyful about it, the overwhelming crowd was indeed a headache.

He sighed internally. But before he could let out another sigh, the delighted expressions on the faces of those around him hinted at a prominent arrival. Turning their heads, they bowed, “Your Highness, the Crown Prince.”

Shen He twisted around and noticed that at some point, the male lead had moved from the veranda to stand right behind him.

Delighted, he exclaimed, "Brother!"

Qi Zhuoyun gave a casual nod to the others, his lips curving into a cool, detached smile. But when he turned to Shen He, his eyes visibly softened.

In a gentle tone, he said, "I haven't dined yet. Would you join me?"

The others promptly suggested, "Young Master, please attend to His Highness. There's no need to stay with us any longer."

They thought to themselves: Only the Shen family's young master could have such a close relationship with the Crown Prince. Any other person would not leave the Crown Prince's side to attend to them during a banquet.

The question remains: once the Crown Prince ascends to the throne, will he still maintain such a close bond with Young Master Shen?

Shen He doesn't know, he's just relieved he can finally get away from all these guests.

He hastily followed Qi Zhuoyun, fearing that any delay would get him dragged back to meet more guests.

Qi Zhuoyun set aside his minor grievances, and when he looked at Shen He, their interactions returned to their familiar camaraderie.

Shen He didn't even notice how this morning and afternoon differed from any other day.

Sweating heavily on his forehead and neck, he rushed indoors, asking, "Is there any iced sour plum soup in the kitchen?"

The young maid replied, "I'll fetch it for Young Master right away."

Qi Zhuoyun took a handkerchief from his sleeve and wiped away the sweat from Shen He's brow.

Shen He looked for a fan. Once he found it, he fanned himself, then after a few waves, he turned and asked, "Brother, are you hot too?"

He fanned Qi Zhuoyun for a bit, then turned the fan back to himself.

This back-and-forth quickly grew tiresome after a few rounds.

He simply dragged his chair over, pushed away the small table separating them, and positioned the two chairs side by side.

He then sat back down, leaning toward Qi Zhuoyun, and began fanning them both.

Shen He cheerfully remarked, "This way, both of us can enjoy the breeze. I'm quite clever, aren't I?"

Zhong Hong chuckled, "Young Master, would you like me to fan you instead?"

Shen He shook his head, "I can do it myself. Zhong Hong, can you ask the steward if we have an ice basin?"

Zhong Hong acknowledged with a nod and went to find the mansion's steward.

With so many guests today, the household staff was particularly busy.

Few were available to attend to Shen He.

Zhong Yan followed Zhong Hong, leaving only Qi Zhuoyun and Shen He in the main hall.

There was also a young eunuch who accompanied Zhong Hong, but he stood at a distance, not daring to come closer unless called.

Shen He, nearly bursting with laughter, whispered to Qi Zhuoyun, "Brother, I think I don't want to invite so many people to my birthday celebration next time. It's always like this. I've tried persuading Grandfather and Grandmother, but they won't listen. Perhaps you could speak to them?"

Qi Zhuoyun wasn't feeling too hot to begin with.

Perhaps because Shen He was sitting too close, the warmth from the young man seeped into him, making him feel slightly heated. Taking the fan from Shen He, he asked, "Tired hands? Let me do it."

He inquired softly, "Is it because of the crowd that you don't want the banquet, or simply because you dislike it? Most people couldn't attract such a crowd even if they wanted to, but look at you."

With someone, especially a male, fanning him, Shen He chuckled and relaxed, happily handing over the fan.

Resting one hand on his chin and the other on the armrest closest to Qi Zhuoyun, he leaned back in his chair and playfully stated, "Others are others; I am me. Right?"

Qi Zhuoyun was amused by this remark. Indeed, others were others, and he was him.

What others couldn't have, even if presented to him and refused, wouldn't matter.

The only thing of importance was whether he was happy.